India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman relies on a seasoned team of IAS officers and experts for the record 9th Union Budget in 2026. This group blends veteran bureaucrats with policy specialists handling expenditure, revenue, and economic affairs. Their diverse backgrounds ensure robust fiscal planning amid global uncertainties.

1 Expenditure Secretary

V Vualnam, 1992-batch IAS from Manipur cadre, oversees government spending, DBT subsidies, and state civil aviation. Holds a Master's in Public Policy. 

2 Chief Economic Adviser

V. Anantha Nageswaran, in office since January 2022, leads macro forecasts and economic assessments. Authored works on fiscal surveys and steers the new 2025-26 debt-to-GDP framework. 

3 Revenue Secretary

Arvind Shrivastava manages former-Budget IAS division, direct and indirect tax policies. Engineering graduate with MSc Finance from London University.

4 Financial Services Secretary

M. Nagaraju, 1993-batch IAS from Tripura cadre, focuses on long-term PSU growth, finance ministry roles, and PSU credit. Economics and Philosophy graduate (PG).

5 DIPAM Secretary

Arunish Chawla, 1992-batch IAS from Bihar cadre, handles privatization programs, PSU listings, and non-tax revenues. MSc and PhD in Economics from LSE. 

6 Economic Affairs Secretary

Anuradha Thakur, 1994-batch IAS from Himachal cadre, leads budget process, oversees capital markets, and external commercial borrowings. Stability in Psychology (PG), Economics Development (LSE).